I'm making a Princess Mononoke costume. I've already finished the mask and I'm ready to attach the fur "hood". I've been told to simply cut the fur into a square and glue it to the mask on one side, but I worry it will look terribly obviously like I just slapped a square piece of fur over my head. I'd like it to look natural with a shape that isn't so defined (the wolf pelt San used was probably not cut into a perfect square either).

The fur I'm using is a bit rigid and doesn't drape like a piece of plain cotton might over my head, so I'm wondering if I should cut it into a hood shape? I have a limited amount of fur to work with, so I'd like to get this right on the first try... I'm wary of using muslin to experiment with, as the fur doesn't lay the same way it might...

Please help! I have exactly one week to figure this out! D: Reference pictures are attached! (Sorry for the horrible quality.)

MsTestament

08-01-2008, 10:46 AM

Ok cut the muslin just to get the right shape to match the hood the cut the fur in the same way just leave the back as long as possible for flow.

Temperance

08-01-2008, 10:47 AM

I'd probably cut it into more of a triangle shape than a square. It's been awhile since I saw the movie, but doesn't it taper to a point down her back like a wolf tail?

I would probably experiment with some cheap fabric first to get the right shape before cutting up your fur. This way you can save from making an expensive mistake and having to buy more fur.

Remember when you are cutting your fur to cut from the back with a blade (NEVER cut with scissors, it's messy and you might end up trimming the edges of the fur by accident)

zekitty

08-02-2008, 12:59 PM

Ah, okay, I finally got it! I hardly had any muslin left after making several life-size drafts, so I just started making doll-sized drafts of the hood until I got the shape I wanted. XD I ended up using all the fur I had left on making one hood, so I'm glad I got it right on the first try! I was so stressed about messing up what fur I had left over because I bought all the fur Hancock Fabrics had. XD;